Joburg Grindr Gang Trial: Lead Investigator Details Arrests and Rescue of Victim

The “Grindr Gang 7” trial continued on Tuesday in Johannesburg Magistrates Court, with the prosecution calling its third witness, SAPS officer and lead investigator Mr Mphofu from Hillbrow Police Station.

His testimony followed the cross-examination of the victim, as well as evidence from the victim’s cousin and a family friend who had been involved during the ransom demands.

The seven accused, Sanele Ndlovu, Vikani Khanyeza, Sohollo Khumalo, Sphamandla Mavundla, Lungisani Mshabalala, Thulani Mazibuko and Khayelihle Zulu, face charges of kidnapping, extortion, attempted murder and theft, linked to the alleged September 2023 targeting of a Johannesburg student through the dating app Grindr.

Testifying in court, Mr Mphofu told the prosecution that he became aware of the use of the Grindr app in violent crimes in May 2023, while investigating other similar cases linked to the platform. It was through this broader investigation that he later became involved in the current matter, after receiving information about a victim who had been taken to Denver Hostel.

He testified that the victim’s father reported receiving ransom demands of R30 000, but could only afford to pay R1 500. The family also showed him disturbing images sent by the suspects, depicting the victim tied up, with a knife held to his neck and private parts, and visible bruises on his body.

Mr Mphofu explained that he and a colleague began conducting surveillance at garages near Denver Hostel, including the BP and Shell garages, after learning that a family friend had sent R3 000 as part of the ransom. It was during this stakeout that police observed an individual leaving the area of Denver Hostel and heading straight to a FNB ATM.

“That is when I approached the individual, identified myself as a police officer and searched him,” Mr Mphofu testified. He told the court that he found cash and two cellphones on the suspect. Upon checking one of the phones, he discovered the same images of the victim that had been sent to the family. “I then informed him that I am arresting him for kidnapping and extortion and read him his rights,” he said.

According to Mr Mphofu, the accused then led police to Denver Hostel, where he found six men in a room and the victim tied to a bed, wearing only a white vest and underwear. He described the victim as unresponsive and said he discovered a head injury while trying to wake him.

“For safety reasons, I instructed all the men to lie down so that I could search them,” he told the court. Knives, cash and several cellphones were recovered from the room. Mr Mphofu testified that none of the men took responsibility for the items or could explain why the victim was being held there. Mr Mphofu testified that none of the men took responsibility for the items found, and that to date, none of the accused have admitted ownership of any of the phones recovered from the room.

The victim was taken to hospital, while all seven suspects were arrested and detained.

During cross-examination, defence lawyers questioned the investigating officer about the ownership of the phones. The defence lawyer for accused number six asked whether his client had admitted that any of the phones belonged to him. Mr Mphofu confirmed that accused number six had denied ownership of a phone that accused number one had claimed belonged to him.

The trial is expected to continue on Monday, 9 February 2026. MambaOnline will continue to provide updates as the case unfolds.